Clothes Storage Guide
A lot of the times, I still feel like I have nothing to wear, and my clothes are such a mess, I have less chance of finding something that is appropriate to wear.
Good clothing storage helps us escape the "what to wear" dilemma, but it also helps develop usable space, expands the capacity of our wardrobe, and creates a more tidy and organized space to live in.
1. Decluttering
When it comes to storage, the first step isn't to collect, but to discard. This means learning how to declutter the items in your wardrobe.
As Marie Kondo, Japan's "Queen of Organizing," once said:
"Organizing is about keeping what you truly want through the process of decluttering."
Getting rid of unwanted clothes frees up space for the items that truly deserve to stay.
Which Clothes Should Be Discarded?
01. Clothes You Haven't Worn in a Long Time
Each of us has clothing we don't like or that we don't wear because they no longer fit. Usually we wear them once or twice after purchasing, and it's very likely you'll never wear them again. You don't have to waste space in your closet.
02. Old Clothing That Needs to Be Discarded
① Outdated Clothing Items
② Items That Have Lost Quality or Become Worn Over Time
Examples include:
– White T-shirts that are yellowed, warped, or worn out
– Clothes with stubborn stains
– Garments that have lost their shape or elasticity
– Socks that have become thin, stiff, or full of holes
2. Space Planning
Before you begin organizing, think about the way your wardrobe is set up in general. The benefits of organizing into certain categories are going to be extremely helpful to having an easy to use wardrobe.
Have a designated space for seasonal clothes, and you won't have to worry about overeating the space when the clothes are not conducive to that particular season.
You may choose to put the clothes that are not anyways in the way of getting in the top or bottom of the wardrobe in order to not make that a pain to get into the wardrobe. Create a place for out-of-season clothes so that they are still protected, yet out of the way.
Then, you can use the middle section of your wardrobe for current season clothes that would be more convenient to access for daily needs.
Specifically your apartment has a number of spaces. For working professionals, or if you live in a smaller space, you can pack away off-season clothing into boxes or vacuum bags, and put them on top of the closet, any corners, or in other free open spaces.
Once you've defined your storage areas, simply categorize and stack your clothes. Here are some practical folding techniques to help!
3. Folding Techniques
T-Shirts
There are many ways to fold a T-shirt, but the following two methods are the most recommended:
① Quick Fold
This is the most popular method online and only takes three steps.
Locate points A, B, and C along the T-shirt's ¼ shoulder line.
Pinch point A with your left hand. With your right hand, pinch point B, lift it, then grab point C.
Lift both hands simultaneously, flip the T-shirt over, and fold it flat.
"Pinch, lift, fold, and place" - your T-shirt is neatly folded in seconds!
② Vertical Fold
This folding method is recommended by Ms. Kondo, the aforementioned organizing expert.
Fold the T-shirt into a rectangle.
Fold it in half, leaving one end slightly longer than the other to create a bit of space.
Divide it into thirds and fold it in half twice.
This way, the folded T-shirt can stand upright.
When storing, place them upright in a drawer or storage basket. This makes it easy to see each piece and retrieve one without disturbing the rest.
Summer short-sleeved shirts can also be folded using the same three-step quick-fold method.
Since shirts are square, wrinkle-resistant, and often made with quality fabrics, simply stacking them is also ideal for storage.
Pants
For shorts, use the wrapping method:
Fold them in half, tuck in the corners, then fold the waistband back.
Next, tuck the remaining leg into the waistband to secure them tightly - creating a neat, compact bundle.
For long pants, use the standing fold method, similar to the T-shirt technique. Once folded, they can stand upright for easy and space-efficient storage.
Skirts
Fold the skirt twice lengthwise to form a rectangle.
Then fold the sides inward and tuck one side into the other to secure it.
Dresses
With dresses, first, fold the top half in half, then take the flared hem and fold it inwards to the center to create a square shape.
Next, fold it two times from side to side and then two times up and down to create a compact bundle.
Then tuck one of the sides into the other to look nice.
A loose-fitting dress now will look like a neat square.
But if you can, it's best to hang dresses. Folding them can create creases.
Socks
Socks are even easier! Just stack two socks together and roll them up from the toe end and then wrap the folded cuffs around to secure the roll.
